Compositions for a method of whitening fine fabrics



United States Patent COlVIPOSITIONS FOR A METHOD OF WHITENING FINE FABRICS Louis E. Craig, Easton, Pa., assignor to General Aniline & Film Corporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware No Drawing. Application March 26, 1954, Serial No. 419,107

6 Claims. (Cl. 252-152) This invention relates to new compositions for improving the whiteness of fine fabrics to the method of whitening such fabrics and fabrics treated with said compositions.

The art of brightening or whitening fabrics by means of chemical compounds, for example, stilbenes, dibenzothiophenedioxides, dibenzimidazylethylenes, dibenzox azolylethylenes, dibenzthiazolylethylenes, coumarins, benzidines, phenylenediamines, polyarylimidazolones, diarylpyrazolines, and the like, are Well known. Such compounds are complex requiring costly syntheses and are high priced. In addition, such compounds contain amino and sulfonic acid groups, usually two of each, and as a result are not particularly substantive to fabrics made from synthetic fibers and are of limited utility for whitening such synthetic fabrics.

I have found that relatively inexpensive brightening compositions for fine fabrics are readily obtained by utilizing such compositions containing substituted or unsubstituted pyrrocolines, pyrimidazoles and imidazo[1,2- a] pyrimidines.

These compounds are characterized by the following general formulae:

wherein R represents either hydrogen, halogen, e. g. chlorine, bromine or iodine, acyl, e. g., formyl, acetyl, propionyl, butyryl, etc., alkyl, e. g., methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, p-tertiarybutyl, isobutyl, etc., aryl, e. g., phenyl, tolyl, xylyl, cumyl, fluorenyl, bromophenyl, chlorophenyl, naphthyl, etc., arallryl, e. g., benzyl, phenethyl, a-mesityl, etc., acylamino, e. g., formamido, acetamido, propionylamino, butyrylamino, benzamido, p-methylbenzamido, alkenyl, e. g., styryl, cinnamyl, etc., R1 represents either hydrogen or alkyl of the same value as in R, R2 represents either hydrogen, alkyl, e. g. methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, etc., alkoxy, e.'g., methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, isopropoxy, butoxy, etc., halogen, e. g., chlorine, bromine, iodine, etc., aryl, e. g.,-phenyl, tolyl, p-anisyl, tert-butyl phenyl, naphthyl, etc., phenylsulfonyl, p-tolylsulfonyl, sulfanilyl, or pyrrolidino group, R3 represents either hydrogen, alkyl, e. 3., methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl,

etc., halogen of the same value as in R, or aminoalkyl, e. g., aminomethyl, aminoethyl, aminopropyl or aminobutyl radical, R4 represents either hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxy, aryl or halogen of the same value as in R2, R5 represents 5 either hydrogen, halogen, e. g., chlorine, br0mine, iodine,

etc., hydroxy, alkyl, e. g., methyl, ethyl, propyl, butyl, etc., alkoxy, e. g., methoxy, ethoxy, propoxy, butoxy, etc., carbaloxy, e. g., carbomethoxy, carbethoxy, etc., sulfanilyl or aminophenylmercapto, e. g., p-aminophenylmercapto, etc., R represents either hydrogen, alkyhacyl, aryl and aralkyl of the same value as in R, carbalkoxy,

e. g., carbomethoxy, carboethoxy, etc., or heterocyclic sents either alkyl, acyl, aryl or aralkyl of the same value as in R or a carbalkoxy group, e. g., carbomethoxy, carbethoxy, etc.

The foregoing compounds are readily prepared by well known methods involving the condensation reaction of a-haloketones with 2-picolines, Z-aminopyridines, and Z-aminopyrimidines, respectively. The reaction involved in the condensation maybe readily exemplified by the following equations:

RII

y, as above and wherein X represents a'halogen, e. g.,

bromine, chlorine or iodine.

As illustrative examples of a-haloketones which are condensed with 2-picolines, Z-amino pyridines and 2- aminopyrimidines, the following may be mentioned:

3(and 5)-acenaphthenyl bromomethyl-ketone Bromomethyl S-chloroacenaphthenyl-ketone Bromomethyl 2-(p-chlorophenyl)-4-quinolyl-ketone Bromomethyl 6-chloro-4-quinolyl-ketone Bromomethyl Z-dibenzothienyl-ketone Bromomethyl 4-dibenzothienyl-ketone Bromomethyl 4-methyl-5-irnidazolyl-ketone Bromomethyl 5-methyl-3-phenanthryl-ketone Bromomethyl 2(and 3 and 9)+phenanthryl-ketone Bromomethyl Z-pyridyl-ketonc j Bromomethyl 3(and 4 and 8)-quinolyl-ketone f Chloromethyl 4-cinnolinyl-ketone a (and 6)-butyl-2-picoline 2-amino-4-p-anisy1pyrimidine;

Chloromethyl ;4-methoxy-l-dibenzofuryl-ketone Chloromethyl' 3 indyl-ketone Chloromethyl 2-methyl3-ind'yl-ketone, and Chloromethyl. S-methyl-Z-indyl-ketone, 6 as well. as,. a;Bromoep-tert.-buty1acetophenonea a u-.Bromo-p=chloro-acetophenone. 3 bromoam-ch1oro-2,4,6 trimethylacetophenone, m-Bromo-2,6.-'dihydroxy-acetophenone, et-Bromo-4,5 dimethoxy-acetophenone a-Br'omo-3,4-dimethyl-acetophcnone e-Bromo-p-hydroxy-acetophenone a-Bromo-p-methoxy-acetophenone a-B'romo-p-methyl m-phenylacetophenone wBromo-a-tolylsulfonylacetophenone t a-Bromo-p-chloro-u-Mand 4)-pyridylacetophenone -Bromo-2(and 4)-pyridylacetophenone, and u-Bromo-a-(4-quinolyl)acetophenone Assuitable examples, 2V-substituted pyridines or 2-pico- V lines,.which may be condensed;with a-haloketonest to 5 produce various pyrrocolines illustrated by general Formula 1, the following are illustrative: V

5-acetamido-2-picoline (i. e. 5-acetamido-2-methylpy1idine) V 3(and 5)-acetyl-2-picoline 3(and 5)-benzamido-2-pic oline W 3(and 4 and ,5 and 6)ethyl-2-picoline 4(and 6)-phenyl-2-picoline 6-phenethyl-2-picoline 6-p-tolyl-2-picoline, and

fil-chloro-2-picolines and with ri g Otiai and J. Pharm. Soc. Japan 58, 102s 193s dines, such as, a 2-(o-acetamidobenzyl)-4,6-diphenylpyridine Z-benzylpyn'dine Z-butylpyridine Z-ethylpyridine V Z-phenethylpyridine 2,3,5-trimethylpyridine 2,3,6-trimethylpyridine As examples illustrative of Z-aminopyridines which may be condensed with a-haloketones to yield the various pyrimidagolescharacterized by general Formula 2, the following maybe mentioned: 7

As examples of pyrimidines which are-condenscdwith" the a-haloketones to yield imidazolesilg alpyrimidines;'

the following are illustrative:

enemas 2-amino-5-bromo-4-methylpyrimidlne Z aminO-4 chloro-fi ethylpyrimidine 2-amino-4,6-dimethoxypyrimidine 2-amino-4,5-dimetl1ylpyrimidine 2-amino-4-ethylpyrimidine 2-amino-4-phenylpyrimidine 2-amino-4-propylpyrimidine 2-amino 4-p-tolylpyrimidine:

2-amino-4-(p-aminophenylmercapto) 6-methylpyrimidine Z-aminc-4-chloro-6eethylaminopyrimidine 2-amino-4-ethoxyrfi-methylpyrimidine: 2-amino-4-methoxypyrimidine 2-amino-4-methyl--sulfanilylpyrimidinea 2-amino-4,Sg6-trichloropyrimidine' It is totbe notedthat m-haloketones other than those listed above can be very readily prepared by conventional methods from any aromatic or heterocyclic compounds which canibe either haloacylated" or acylated 'f ollowed by the'halogenation of the acetylgroup;

Ineonclucting the foregoing condensation reaction any" one of the following references may be employed to yield the-desired product. The 'following referencesrelate to a the. preparation of' numerous pyrrocolines (1) by the reaction-of a-haloketones and 2-substitutedpyridines:

Tschitschibabin, Ben, B,'1607'(1927) Tschitschibabin and Stepanow, Ben, 62B, 1069 (1929.)v Borrows, Holland and K 1069; 1075; 1077; 1083' g a t Borrows'and Holland, J. Chem. Soc.,p1947, 672 Buu-Hoi, etaL, Rec; Trav. Chim.,68, 441,781 (1949)} 69, 1455(19501]. Org chem 1'5; 123 (950) Bull. Soc. Chim., 950, 489, 753' i The following references describe' the preparation of V numerous 'pynmidazolesby reaction of a-haloketones with Z-aminopyridines: Tschitschibabin, Ben, 58, 1704 Matveev, l3ull. AcadQSci, U.' Si S. R., Classe Sci. Math. Nat, Ser. Chim. 533 (1936);'C. A. 31; 6654(1937) Kaye, Parris and Burlant, I. Am. Chem. Soc;, 75, 746

Buu-Hoi et-al., Rec. Tr'av. Chim. 68, 441,781 (1949); 69, 1455 (1950), Compt. Rend.,.230, 489, 967 (1950) Preparation of imidazo[1,2-a]pyrimidines from u-haloketones and Z-aminopyrirnidines are described in the following references:

PYRROCOLINES' enyon, lQChem. ,Soc., 1946,".

1925); 59; 204811926) 'Campbell and McCalLJ. Chem. 806., 2411 (19 51) PYRROCOLINES-Cflntinued SCH:

' NHC O OH:

cocm (5..

NHr

NHCO OH:

' Nnooom Ho NYDR In preparing the whitening compositions in accordance with the present invention, I employ any one of the foregoing pyrrocolines, pyrimidazoles, imidazo[1,2-alpyrim-. idines or mixtures thereof, dissolved in a water miscible organic I solvent, for example, lower alcohols, e. g.,

methanol, ethanol, isopropanol and the like, acetone,

dioxane and the like. The amount of such solvent or mixtures thereof may vary with the solubility of the brightening agents, or mixtures thereof. Such solutions preferably contain 0.5 to 20% by weight of the brightening agent or mixture. The solution thus preparedis added with agitation to hot water containing a. small amount, usually from 0.1 to 2.5% by weight, of dispersing agent, which is preferably a detergent soap or asynthetic detergent, sodium stearate, sodium salt of tallow.

acids, long-chain alkyl quaternary ammonium salts, polyoxyethylated alkyl phenols, fatty alcohol sulfonates, alkylaryl sulfonates, N-acyl taurates and the like. All of these synthetic detergents are well knownto those skilled in the art, and references to their preparation.

need not be discussed herein.

In employing the solution prepared as above, I have found that usually one-half ounce by volume of brightening solution may be added to about 3 to 5 gallons of hot water. The fabric to be brightened is placed in the hot water, agitated for a few minutes, rinsed in warm water and then dried. This operation is conveniently carried out during the regular laundering. The solution of brightening agent or mixtures thereof, which may be bottled in solution form, or packaged in dry form for ,use, is added to the hot water containing soap' or. synthetic detergent during regular launderingoperationsa Such solutions or powders are especially suitable for whitening fine fabrics containing or consisting of nylon, wool, acetate rayon or silk. They are also suitable for whitening fabrics made from synthetic fibers, such as those sold under the trade names of .Dacron, Orlon,"

Dynel, Acrilan, Satan and the like,

A preferred embodiment of the present invention involves the distribution of the brightening agent or mixture in the soap or synthetic detergent. Thus, for example, solutions of the brightening agents or mixturesthereof,

prepared as above, are added to aqueous solutions of slurn'es of soap or synthetic detergent, preferably during their manufacture, and isolated in the usual Way, such as, for example, by spray drying. The soap or synthetic detergent containing the brightening agent or mixture thereof is used in the usual laundering procedure, or may be added to a hot water bath through which the fabrics can be run during manufacture and processing. The following examples describe the preparation of the brightening compositions and the treatment of fabrics therewith. It is to be understood that these examples are merely inserted for the purpose of illustration, and are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the inven- "tion claimed. All parts given are by weight unless other-' wise specified.

Example I About 0.5 part by weight of 2-phenylpyrrocoline was dissolved in parts of ethanol. About 1 part by weight of this solution was added to 50 parts of hot water containing 0.2-0.3% by weight of soap flakes sold under the trade name of Arctic Crystal Soap Flakes. A swatch of acetate rayon cloth was then stirred for a few minutes in this aqueous dispersion, removed, rinsed in fluorescence under ultraviolet 1i 1 added to-SO parts of hot'wat'er-containing 02-03% by showed improved whiteness;

7 proved. whiteness.

fabrics showed a very bright ght and was whiter in daylight than the untreated cloth.

'Similar application to nylon,,-silk, and wool resulted in whitening of the fabric.

Example ll About 1 part by weight of a solution of parts of 2- phenylpyrimidazole; in 100 parts :of" isopropanol was hot water, and dried. The;

weight of a synthetic detergent sold under the brandname oiTide. A swatch of'acetate'rayon was treated-r. as in Example I. r The fabric was of improved whiteness and showed a strong blue fluorescence under ultraviolet light.

Similar application of-the brightening agent to viscose rayon resulted in improved whiteness.

Example 111 About 11- part :by weightiof a:solution offljzpartof 29;;

phenyl imidazoELZ-alpyrimidin in IOOparts ofiethanol. was: added: to .50 parts of hot water: containing10.2.-0.3 by weight a synthetic ..detergent:of :the .alkyl phenol-ethyl: I enecoxide type. 'A swatch of wool treatedaszinExample;

I-showed 'a very bright fiuorescence'under. ultraviolet -v light and was of improved whiteness.

Swatches of. 1k, acetate: rayon, nylon,.Dacron,--and.: Acrilan were treated in-av similar manner; fabrics V Example IV V Aswatch of acetate rayon was treated witha brightening-f composition prepared as in..Example. Iexcept that 2,3.-diphenyl pyrrocolinewas used in place of 2-.phenyl pyrrocolinei The fabric'was ofiinproved whiteness; Wooland nylon treated. inthis manner-also showed-hm Example V To a; stirred mixtureof 50.parts;.of water: and50 parts; of soap:fiakes soldundenthe trade-gname ArctieCrystaL Soap Flakes wasadded1a solution:-of; 2.5.. parts of;2-' phenyleG-ethylpyrrocoline in. 25 parts lof ethanolz After stirring themixture well for several. minutes',;the. water: and ethanol were removed by= distillation undergslightly reducedpressure; 7 About? Lpart of 'theresultingcsoap: flakes was added to 1 500.. parts of hot water; A. large.

swatchziof. acetate'rayonlwas added," stirred forf several 7 minutes; removed, rinsed with. hot water; and: dried. The-fabric showeda very bright; blue. fluorescence r'underultraariolet light. and. was. of improved whiteness.

Wool,. silk, and nylon: were also :treated. in this. mane ncr; All: were of improvedswhiteness.

Example VI To a stirredmixture of parts of'waterand SO parts, of. synthetic detergent sold under the trade name of Tidewas added a. solution of 2-phenylpyrrocoline in 25 parts of ethanol. The water and ethanolwere-removed under slightly reduced pressure. A swatch of'nylon wastreated with theresultingdetergent containing, the. brightening agent. by theprocedure of Example V to give: improved whiteness. The. whiteness of acetate:- rayonrwool, and Qrlon was also improved by similar treatment. f

wherein the brightening agent is 2,3-diphenylpyrrocoline.

res:

I claim:

and'

drogen and alkyl groups, R2 represents a member sev lected from the class consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, al-' koxy, halogen, aryl, plienylsulfonyl, p-tolylsulfonyl, sul:

fanilyl and pyrrolidino groups, R3 represents a member selected from the class. consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, aminoalkyl and halogenzgroups, R4 represents a member selected from the class consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxy, aryl and halogenzgroups, R5 represents a member'selectedfrom' the class consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxy, carbalkoxy, halogen, 'hydroxy, .aminophenylmercapto and sulfanilyl groups, R represents a member selected from the-class consisting of hydrogen, acyl, alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, carbalkoxy and quinolyl groups, R" represents a member selected from the class consisting of aryl and heterocyclic radicals, and R" represents a memberselected'fromrthe class consisting of alkyl, aryl, aralkyl; acyl, and carbalkoxy groups.

2. A composition ofmatter according to claim 1," 7 wherein the brightening agent is Z-phenylpyrrocolina 3. A composition: of matter according tofclaim l, wherein the brightening agent is 2-phenylpyrimidazole.

4. A composition of matter according to claim 1, wherein the brightening agent is 2-phenylimidazo[1,2- alpyrimidine.

5. A composition of matter according to claim 1,

6. A composition of matter according to claim 1, wherein the brightening agent' is 2-lphenyl-6-ethylpyrrocoline.

2,639,990 Kendall May 26, 19 53 Kendall Aug. 18.1953 7 

1. A COMPOSITION OF MATTER FOR BRIGHTENING WHITE ORGANIC TEXTILE FABRICS COMPRISING AN AQUEOUS EMULSION CONTAINING 0.1-2.5% BY WEIGHT OF AN ORGANIC WATER SOLUBLE SYNTHETIC DETERGENT AND FORM 0.0005-0.1% BY WEIGHT OF AT LEAST ONE BRIGHTENING AGENT SELECTED FROM THE CLASS CONSISTING OF THOSE OF THE FOLLOWING FORMULAE: 